Portret van Zachariah Mudge c. 1766 - 1768

This mezzotint portrait of Zachariah Mudge was created by James Watson in the second half of the 18th century. Mudge’s clerical collar and gown mark him as a figure of the church. The book to his side and his contemplative pose—head resting on his hand—suggest learning and piety. Made in England at a time of growing religious and political ferment, this image speaks to the role of the church within British society. During the 1700s, the Church of England was closely tied to the state and the aristocracy. But dissenting religious movements were gaining strength, fuelled by the growth of cities and new ideas about individual liberty. Did Watson create this portrait to celebrate the traditional authority of the church? Or was he, perhaps, commenting on its limitations? To understand this image better, we can research the histories of British religion and portraiture. These can shed light on the changing place of the church within society and on the way portraiture was used to assert status and influence.